HADDONFIELD, N.J. - The Atlantic East Conference announced the Men’s Basketball weekly award winners on Monday, with Tye-Rell Monroe of Saint Elizabeth being named Player of the Week and Cj Highsmith Jr. of Marymount being named Defensive Player of the Week.
Player of the Week: Tye-Rell Monroe
School: Saint Elizabeth
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Hometown: Rio Rancho, N.M.
Brief Outlook of Week: Monroe was an animal for the Eagles this past week, averaging 31.5 points while shooting 51% from the field. Monroe was able to contribute a 30-point, six rebound performance at home against Immaculata on Wednesday, helping lead the Eagles to picking up their first win as a member of the Atlantic East. Monroe would follow with a 33-point, 11 rebound double-double, alongside two assists, against Neumann on Saturday.
Defensive Player of the Week: CJ Highsmith Jr.
School: Marymount
Class: Junior
Position: Center
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
High School: Richmond Christian
Brief Outlook of Week: Highsmith Jr. had a big week on the defensive end of the court, helping the Saints remain perfect in AEC play and extend their winning streak to 12 games. Tallying seven total blocks and three steals, Highsmith had six total blocks at home against Neumann on Wednesday, a new career-high. Grabbing 14 total boards, averaging seven a game, the Richmond, Va. native added 10.5 points per game along with three steals and two assists on the week.
Weekly Honor Roll:
D.J. Johnson, Gwynedd Mercy: A pair of double-doubles from Johnson led Gwynedd Mercy University to AEC wins over Marywood and Immaculata. Against the Pacers he totaled three assists and three steals in support of a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double. Then, against the Mighty Macs, it was three assist, two block, and four steal stat line alongside a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Jalen Snead, Gwynedd Mercy: Snead averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 blocks, and 3.5 steals per game in AEC wins over Marywood and Immaculata. After contributing 11 points, four rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and four steals to the win over the Pacers, he led the Griffins' scoring effort versus the Mighty Macs with 24 points in excess of five rebounds, three assists, one block, and three steals.
Donte Dupriest, Neumann: Dupriest averaged 16.0 points a 1-1 week for the Knights. In a 58-54 loss at Marymount, the senior scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Back home, the senior scored 19 points in an 80-61 win over Saint Elizabeth.
Jarell Keel, Neumann: Keel averaged 10.6 rebounds and nine points in a 1-1 week for Neumann in conference action. In a 58-54 loss to Marymount, the junior grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots. In an 80-61 win over Saint Elizabeth, Keel scored 14 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.
Thomas Prendergast, Pratt: Prendergast averaged nine rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks over two games. His efforts were highlighted by a dominant all-around performance in the 74-65 win against Marywood. In that game, he grabbed 10 rebounds while tying his career-high with five steals and adding two blocks. Against Centenary, he pulled down eight rebounds to go with two steals and a block.
2025-26 AEC Men’s Basketball Weekly Award Winners:
AEC Player of the Week:
Nov. 10: Michel Loftin, Marywood
Nov. 17: Mandon Seapoe, Immaculata
Nov. 24: Jalen Snead, Gwynedd Mercy
Dec. 1: Trey Phillips, Pratt
Dec. 8: DJ Earl, Neumann
Dec. 15: Joe Macciocco, Marywood
Dec. 22: Joseph Mazzola, Saint Elizabeth
Jan. 5: Trey Phillips, Pratt
Jan. 12: DJ Earl, Neumann
Jan. 19: Michel Loftin, Marywood
Jan. 26: Donte Dupriest, Neumann
Feb. 2: Kenneth Rankin, Centenary
Feb. 9: Tye-Rell Monroe, Saint Elizabeth
AEC Defensive Player of the Week:
Nov. 10: D.J. Johnson, Gwynedd Mercy
Nov. 17: Donte Dupriest, Neumann
Nov. 24: Donte Dupriest, Neumann
Dec. 1: Donte Dupriest, Neumann
Dec. 8: Donte Dupriest, Neumann
Dec. 15: Cameron Hatcher, Pratt
Dec. 22: Tye-Rell Monroe, Saint Elizabeth
Jan. 5: CJ Highsmith Jr., Marymount
Jan 12: D.J. Johnson, Gwynedd Mercy
Jan. 19: CJ Highsmith Jr., Marymount
Jan. 26: Reuben McEachern, Marymount
Feb. 2: Thomas Prendergast, Pratt
Feb. 9: CJ Highsmith Jr., Marymount